Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent and highly customized Spanish American War era Mills style web ammunition belt for the .45-70 Trapdoor Springfield rifle, likely assembled for use by a New York Enlisted Cavalryman. The belt has been fitted with a New York state buckle, a Rock Island Arsenal M1892 .38 revolver holster, saber chape and hanger, and an especially interesting period addition of twelve revolver cartridge loops across the front. A Cavalryman would have a saber, pistol, and a .45/70 trapdoor carbine. The Cavalry was dismounting and fighting on foot more and more as the era progressed, requiring more ammo than previous belts or equipment allowed. During that period they did have a troop of cavalry in many larger cities – like C Troop in Brooklyn or F Troop in Albany. Thanks to a collector reaching out, we believe the belt to have been worn by one of these units.

The blue woven ammunition belt itself is a Mills & Orndorff 100 round double loop pattern with an 1894 patent date. The double rows of cartridge loops were designed to carry .45-70 ammunition for the Trapdoor Springfield, which remained in widespread state and volunteer service during the Spanish American War period even as newer small caliber rifles were entering U.S. service.

The belt is fitted with a New York state buckle, also associated with Mills & Orndorff, bearing an 1881 patent date. This type of New York buckle was used by New York volunteer troops during the Spanish American War and Philippine Insurrection period, including men from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 47th, 65th, 69th, and 71st New York Volunteer Infantry Regiments.

Most interestingly, the front of the belt has been custom modified with six half double loops, providing storage for a total of twelve revolver cartridges. This appears to be a period adaptation made to give the wearer immediate access to handgun ammunition while retaining the belt’s original .45-70 capacity. Combined with the revolver holster and saber equipment, the alteration gives the belt the appearance of equipment configured specifically around an officer’s needs.

An original M1892 .38 caliber revolver holster is mounted to the belt and appears to have remained in place for a very long time. The leather has stiffened around the belt in a manner consistent with long term attachment.

The front flap of the holster is stamped for manufacture by:

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL

and also carries the unit or rack marking:

C / 40

The holster shows very heavy service wear throughout. Unfortunately, the securing knob has broken away due to deterioration of the leather. The original knob is still included with the belt and could potentially be carefully reattached, although the surrounding leather is aged and should be handled with care.

Also fitted to the belt is a saber chape and hanger. The leather chape is heavily worn, dry, and cracked, but remains substantially intact. The original period Rock Island Arsenal manufactured saber hanger is still retained, an important component of the officer configuration.

The combination of rifle ammunition belt, revolver holster, added pistol cartridge loops, and saber suspension equipment creates an unusually complete snapshot of the mixed arms carried by a New York Cavalryman during the Spanish American War era.

Condition overall is very good for such an extensively used piece of late 19th century field equipment. The woven belt remains very presentable, while the leather components show much heavier age and service wear. The saber chape is extensively cracked, and the revolver holster is heavily worn with the broken securing knob noted above.

The most compelling aspect of this belt is its period customization. The added revolver loops, New York buckle, Rock Island Arsenal holster, and saber hanger transform what began as a standard Mills & Orndorff .45-70 ammunition belt into a particularly interesting equipment rig from the Spanish American War era.